Grant approved for DA's re-entry program

County Legislature OKs $20,000 from the Drug Policy Alliance

By CAROL DEMARE Staff writer

Published 12:00 am, Tuesday, February 15, 2011

ALBANY -- County lawmakers approved a $20,000 grant for District Attorney David Soares Monday night after Soares appealed for release of the funds so he could set up a program to help prisoners coming out of incarceration.

Soares rattled off statistics he had compiled of arrests and recidivism rates and said "there is a re-entry crisis going on in this community right now."

The grant from the Drug Policy Alliance, a private group that accepts donations on its website, had been held up in committee for a year while lawmakers had questions about the organization and how the money would be used.

The DPA, as it's known, describes itself on its site as "the nation's leading organization promoting alternatives to the drug war that are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights."

The grant was approved by a vote of 20-13, with two abstentions. Republicans voted against the resolution, as did several Democrats.

Republican Minority Leader Christine Benedict of Colonie said after the meeting that her conference opposed the grant because the DPA had donated $5,000 to Friends of David Soares. State Board of Elections records show the DPA donated $2,500 in 2008 and $2,500 a year earlier. Several others in public office also received money from DPA.

Albany Legislator Gary Domalewicz said he hoped that under the new commissioner he and other lawmakers would have access to records and other information they request from that office, unlike McPhillips' predecessor, under whom records requested weren't forthcoming.

Legislature Chairman Dan McCoy said McPhillips had assured the body he would provide whatever is requested.

Also confirmed unanimously was Judy L. Glassanos of Bethlehem as commissioner of the Department for Aging. She also was appointed by Breslin. Her salary is $73,000.

A resolution calling for a county waste, recycling and energy sustainability policy, whose lead sponsor was Albany Legislator Christopher Higgins, was adopted.

The program directs all county government agencies "to divert and reduce waste to the greatest extent possible." The measure outlines steps needed for that to happen.